Family Communication 11/14/19

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Holy Rosary Families,

I hope this message finds you well. As we approach mid-November, we are well into the school year and nearly done with the first trimester. As I sat down to read for a bit the other day, I received a message from a former colleague. He shared an article he had read about social media and teens and it really hit home for me. It’s short and to the point, but I think there is a powerful message worth pondering for kids of all ages, so I am sharing it with you.

I know that in this day and age, our kids have the potential for almost limitless access to technology and that social media is often a part of that. I can absolutely understand the temptation for kids to be “connected” to friends and peers, and the need for parents to stay in communication with kids. I also know how challenging navigating the technology world can be. Sometimes kids have access to social media, but do not have the maturity to understand the power harnessed within, along with appropriate social norms. Not to mention the fact that not only does a child have access to a wide open world in terms of people through social media, but the converse is true too. Think of all of the people out there in the world that have access to a child’s social media account if privacy settings are not properly employed.

I share this with you not to say that kids should not be on social media, but simply to say this is something I think about a lot and struggle with as a parent. I hope you might find it interesting to ponder as well.

Don’t forget to sign up for your student-lead conference during conference week. Students in 1st-8th grade are preparing to conference with you during conference week (M-W of Thanksgiving week). Remember, students in Preschool and K do not attend the conference. This time is set aside for conferences and we ask that you please sign up during this week as a lot of time has gone into preparation.

In Christ,

Anna

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

Yesterday we celebrated the feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Born in Italy, she longed to enter religious life – but was turned away due to her failing health. She took charge of an orphanage, and as others came to assist her she formed a religious order of her own. From her youth, she also longed to be a missionary, and so she asked permission from the Pope to go to China. “Not to the East, but to the West” was his response as he called to mind the struggles of so many of his neighbors as they emigrated to the United States. She became a citizen in 1909 – the first American to be canonized a saint. She and her order founded 67 institutions in her final 25 years of life, caring for the poor and the sick in hospitals, schools and orphanages, from New York to Seattle. She welcomed the immigrant and the stranger, showed them the love of God, taught them about Christ, and met some of their most basic needs. She is a good model for us as we ourselves encounter new arrivals in our neighborhoods, in our schools and places of work, from other nearby cities, states or far away lands. There is a stained glass window of her in Holy Rosary – the last of the upper windows on the east side of the church.

During this month that began with the feast of All Saints, I would encourage you to share with your children some of the stories of the saints who inspire you – as you also look for ways to imitate their virtues and follow them on the way to Heaven with your children.

In Christ,

Fr. Oakland

UPCOMING DATES

November 15th – School Play 7pm

November 20th – Book Fair Begins

November 25th-27th – Parents/Student/Teacher Conferences (regular school not in session, BASE open)

November 28th-29th – Thanksgiving break, no school (BASE Closed)

November 29th – Tree Lot Opens

December 13th – First Trimester Report Cards

December 17th – Preschool Christmas Program

December 19th – K-8 Christmas Program

December 20th – Noon Dismissal, Christmas Break Begins

January 6th – School Resumes

NOTES & REMINDERS

Playground Supervision

Just a reminder, we do not have any supervision in the big toy area before and after school. If you will be picking your children up late, please have them meet you in front of the school. If your children would like to come to the playground during non-school hours, please have an adult there to supervise them.

School Counselor

Hello! My name is Selena Borne, and I am the school counselor at Holy Rosary School. My background includes working in public and Catholic private schools with grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.

I love being a part of the Holy Rosary community. I work hard to be involved school wide in a way that makes kids know who I am, and feel comfortable should they need or want to see me. Below is some more information about what it is I do.

I teach skills and strategies as the need arises in small group settings. This allows students to share ideas and offer support through discussion and activities. Some group topics include friendship, study skills, decision-making, and emotion identification/regulation. Groups are solution focused and developmental.

Please contact me at any time! I am here for your child, and look forward to supporting your family in any way I can.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Selena Borne

206-937-7255 ex. 202

sborne@holyrosaryws.org

Attendance

A quick reminder to please email the office at office@holyrosaryws.org or call 206-937-7255 if you have any absences, early dismissals, appointments or late arrivals. It is the office’s responsibility to code all absences correctly and accurately and avoid us having to make phone calls to you during your busy day. Thank you for your cooperation.

Girls On The Run!

Girls on the Run is coming to Holy Rosary School this Spring! Girls on the Run is a program that teaches girls important life skills while creatively integrating running and walking. This program is 10-weeks long and is for 3rd-5th grade girls. The program culminates in a celebratory, non-competitive 5K (3.1 miles).

We are looking for volunteer coaches to join us this season! Coaches lead the girls by following a given curriculum and motivating girls as they run. Coaches attend practices 2x per week, and they will be joined by Site Liaison, Ms. Benson.

Please learn more about the program on Girls on the Run’s website or by emailing Ms. Benson. We would love to have you volunteer with our Girls on the Run this Spring!

Annual Christmas Program

Save the Date! The annual Christmas Program (held in the church), happens Thursday, December 19 beginning at 6:15 pm with the school band followed by the K – 8 performances. Looking forward to this wonderful holiday musical event!

Scholastic Book Fair: November 20th – December 3rd

Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please use this link to visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more about all the noted items below. https://www.scholastic.com/bf/holyrosaryschool5

Try our awesome digital payment option: Book Fair eWallet!

No cash on hand the day of the Book Fair? No worries – Scholastic Book Fairs is now offering Book Fair eWallet as a new payment option. Your student can shop the fair cash-free! Simply set up an account and have funds immediately available for your child to shop the Book Fair. Safe and secure – it’s easy shopping with Book Fair eWallet. Visit our Book Fair homepage link above or use the “how it works” link below to learn more and to create an account. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html

ACTION ITEMS

Art Supplies Needed

Our art teacher is looking for a few household supplies for upcoming projects. We will be collecting toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, news paper and cereal boxes. Please bring them to the school office until Friday November 22nd.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conference Signup Schedule

Conferences are coming up soon, and will be held the week of Thanksgiving on November 25, 26 and 27. Reminder that school will not be in session this week. The signups for conferences are now available. You should be able to select a time that works for you and your family using the SignUpGenius.

Yearbook Order Time!

It’s yearbook order time! This year’s theme is Life In Color, and this year’s yearbook will surely brighten up your day, so order below! $25 for grades preschool through 7, and $30 for grade 8. Grade 8 includes student’s name stamped on the cover. Your FACTS account will be billed.

We are extremely proud of our yearbook program at Holy Rosary. It’s one of the few K-8 school yearbooks designed by eighth graders, who are skilled in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. A yearbook is not only a memory book, but a record and history book, a reference book, and a public relations book; as well as an educational experience for everyone involved. Thank you for supporting our yearbook program. Order yours here.

2020-2021 Kindergartener Or New Preschooler?

September 15th-November 15th is the priority application period for parish and current school families for next school year (September 2020-June 2021). If you have an incoming Kindergarten or new Preschool (2s, 3s, PreK) student that you would like to enroll into Holy Rosary School, applications are now due. Holy Rosary prioritizes siblings, but we cannot allocate a spot for your student if we do not have an application by November 15th. All Kindergarten students must have an application submitted. Our Fall Open House is Saturday, November 2nd, 10am-1pm. Any questions, please contact admissions@holyrosaryws.org

EVENTS & FUNDRAISING

Mark your calendars for the evening of November 15 and plan on bringing the whole family to enjoy Holy Rosary Drama Elective’s debut of The Elves and the Shoemaker and Aw, Shucks! Come indulge your imagination in an evening filled with fun, humor, whimsical entertainment, and community building!

When: Friday November 15th @ 7:00 pm

Where: Holy Rosary School – School Hall

Cost: Donations warmly accepted at the door

*Delicious treats & refreshments will be available from our snack shack!

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIVES

Wine Collection At Parent Teacher Conferences

After the success of collecting wine over the last two years at conferences, the auction committee is again asking parents to donate a bottle. We are asking each family to bring a bottle of their favorite wine or liquor toparent-teacher conferences. A table will be set up across from the Staff Lounge to drop off your bottle. This will be used to complete auction packages and play a game at the auction. Additional details are being sent home next week. Each child in your family will receive a free dress pass for bringing in one bottle of wine.

Tree Lot

The TREE LOT is a fun way to get your fundraising hours in as well as meet members of the community. TREE LOT opens Friday, November 29th and closes December 21st.

The biggest need for volunteers are for set up on Wednesday, November 27 and tear down on Sunday, December 22.Sign up to volunteer here.

Auction

Family donations are due by December 13th. Remember all families are required to contribute a minimum of $175 to the auction. A flyer will be sent home this week with additional details, please read for donation ideas. Already know your donation, then please enter through the links below. All families that enter their donation before Monday, November 25 will receive a free dress pass for each child in their family.

The business procurement team is still looking for a few members to procure items within West Seattle. Contact Giulia Canali at, giuliacolson@yahoo.com, if interested

PARISH NEWS

Advent Gathering

Save the Date…Advent Gathering, Sunday, December 8, 9:30am-1:00pm, School Hall

All are welcome to our fun and festive Advent Gathering on Sunday December 8 in the School Hall. Stop by after Mass or anytime between 9:30am-1:00pm for Advent activities for children and adults, Coffee and Donuts and more! Come celebrate the “Reason for the Season”!

Interested In Baptism For Your Child?

Are you interested in Baptism for your child? Holy Rosary welcomes your child to a life with Christ! For children, infant up to age 7, please contact Deyette Swegle at Dswegle@holyrosaryseattle.org. For children ages 7-18, please contact Sr. Stella at SrStella@holyrosaryseattle.org about RCIA program adapted for children.

Opportunities For Adults

We offer several ways to celebrate and grow closer to the risen Christ:

Monday Night Rosary- Please join us Monday, November 18, 6:30-7:00pm in the Chapel for Prayer, Rest and Renewal!

Inquiry – an open-ended discussion of life, the universe, and everything from a Catholic point of view! If you or someone you know has questions about the Catholic faith, invite them to come! All are welcome and no topic is off limits! We meet twice a month in the Parish Office, and our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 19. Our topic will be “How can we trust the Bible or the Church?”

Becoming Catholic – The formal process of becoming Catholic, The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is beginning! We meet on Thursday evenings at 6:00pm in the Music Room of the Parish Center. No commitment necessary! Come see what being Catholic is all about!

Wednesday Morning Bible Study – We’re starting a new study leading up to Christmas this week. If you have wanted to join, this is a perfect time! Join us at 9:30am (or after Mass) on Wednesday mornings in the Parish Center!

Saint Of The Week

Every week, we highlight a particular saint. This week, we remember St. Cecilia. Known as a patron of music, little is known for certain about this 2nd Century Roman martyr. She is said to have been betrothed and married against her will. When she stood firm in her desire to remain a virgin, her husband respected her desires and himself converted to the Catholic faith for which they both were killed. She is a reminder that, although God doesn’t always give us what we ask for, he will always bring good out of our love for him and for our neighbors. We can pray “Thy will be done” with confidence that God’s will is always for the greatest good, even if we don’t see it immediately. Her feast is November 22.

Shoulder-to-Shoulder Fall Fix-up

Fall is here and the rain is coming! Do you know a family member or neighbor who needs assistance raking and bagging their leaves? Are the storm drains near the house blocked? Let us help. Shoulder to Shoulder volunteers will come clear them and rake & bag your leaves for yard waste to pick up.

What? A Fall Fix-Up Day! The goal is to help clear the storm drains of leaves. We aim to assist our parishioners and friends in need of help with this task.

Who? Did you just have a baby? Surgery? Arthritis? Having trouble getting outside? Needing assistance in any way? Or, do you know someone who does? Please let us be of service.

Where? Your home or the home of your friend or family member.

When? Saturday, November 23, 2019. We will coordinate a time between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Want to Volunteer? Add your name via email at shoulder@holyrosaryseattle.org. We plan to do 2 sessions on Saturday Nov. 23rd 9:00am – noon/noon-3:00 pm. We will supply the lawn bags; please bring your rakes and gloves. We will follow up with more details for our volunteers.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

WSHS Mini Cheer Camp

The WSHS Cheerleaders will be holding a Mini Cheer Camp Saturday, November 23, 2019 in the West Seattle High School Gym from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

All Ages will have a great time learning fun cheers and making crafts with the Westside cheerleaders. Campers will receive a tee shirt and official team hair bow, picture of themselves with the cheerleader AND perform as an honorary West Seattle Cheerleader at an upcoming home basketball game!

8th Graders Welcomed. Get help for our 2020-2021 Try-Outs

The cost of this camp is $60. Registration paperwork and payment are due by November 15, 2019 to be guaranteed a t shirt the day of camp. Space is limited so register early to ensure your spot.

Winter Camps At Bishop Blanchet High School

Calling all hoopsters and dancers! On Saturday, December 21, Bishop Blanchet High School will host basketball clinics for boys and girls in grades 5-8 and a dance clinic for anyone in grades K-8. All participants will have the opportunity to perform at halftime of a BBHS girls varsity basketball game. Please click here or visit https://bit.ly/2McHgge for more information and to register. Thank you for sharing this within your communities!

Seeking Vendors For A Holiday Bazaar!

Vendor Spaces Are Still Available!- Saturday, November 23rd @ St. Francis of Assisi.

The holidays are coming up quickly, and that means the shoppers will soon be ready to shop! Looking to sell your unique art or newest craft? This is the perfect place to start selling to those early holiday shoppers! Whether you’re new to selling your wares or not, we’d love to have you at this wonderful community event.

Winter Baseball Camps

US Baseball Academy’s Spring Training is a unique concept that provides young players an opportunity to take their game to the next level. USBA camps are designed to develop skills in all facets of the game with an emphasis on teaching proper fundamentals and techniques. Sessions are available in hitting, pitching, fielding and catching. Call us at 866-622-4487 or visit www.USBaseballAcademy.com

Hosted by: Seattle University

Week 1: January 18th-19th

Week 2: January 25th-26th

Northwest Girlchoir

Northwest Girlchoir is accepting new singers. We have openings in each of our five progressive choir levels for girls and young women entering grades 1-12. Registration and audition information is available on our website at www.northwestgirlchoir.org